Trade With Businesses Based In The Illegally Occupied Territories Of The West Bank Should Be Sanctioned

During a debate in Westminster Hall on the centenary of the Balfour declaration I was able to intervene and ask whether trade with businesses based in the illegally occupied territories of the West Bank should be sanctioned.

Stephen Kinnock: Does the hon. Gentleman agree that although trade with Israel is excellent, trading with businesses based in the illegally occupied territories of the west bank should be sanctioned?

Dr Offord: I am afraid I do not agree with that at all. Some of those businesses, including SodaStream, are providing opportunities for employment to the people in the occupied territories—opportunities for employment that do not exist elsewhere—and a lot of those people are remunerated to a higher level than their peers and neighbours who are not similarly employed.